Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
christmas cholla
Overview
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis is a shrubby, thin-stemmed cholla cactus native to the deserts and dry scrub of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It forms an open, twiggy plant 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall, with slender, pencil-thick cylindrical stems about 0.1-0.25 inch (3-6 mm) across that branch at wide angles. The green stems carry scattered areoles, each with a single long, barbed spine sheathed in a loose, papery covering of straw to gray, and small early-shed leaves. Pale greenish-yellow flowers about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) wide open in late spring and summer, followed by fleshy, round to oblong red fruits 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) long that ripen in autumn and hold on the plant through winter, behind the name Christmas cholla. The red fruit feeds birds and other wildlife in the cold season when little else is available. The barbed spines detach easily and cling to skin, fur, and clothing, carrying stem joints that root where they fall. It grows in full sun on dry, well-drained soil, withstanding heat and drought, but is harmed by hard frost and wet ground. Its thin stems often grow up through shrubs, using them for support.
Native Range
Native to the southwestern United States and northern and central Mexico, from California and Nevada east through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. It grows in desert flats, scrub, grassland, and rocky slopes, often among shrubs and mesquite.Suggested Uses
Used in desert and xeriscape gardens, rock gardens, and wildlife plantings in arid regions. It suits barrier plantings and naturalistic desert beds where its winter fruit supports birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun and sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil. It withstands extreme heat and prolonged drought, storing water in its stems, and rots in wet or poorly drained ground. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11, it is damaged by hard frost and is grown under cover where winters are cold. Watering is light in summer and withheld in winter. The barbed spines and easily detached joints catch on anything that brushes past, so the plant is usually kept clear of paths and seating. New plants grow readily from dropped or detached stem joints that root on contact with soil.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Overlong or damaged stems can be cut back with long-handled tools to keep the plant in bounds, since the barbed joints cling to skin. Removed joints are gathered carefully, as any left on the ground will root.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons